ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the impact of the Florida law on state agencies. The objective is to ascertain the extent to which the elimination of the defining characteristic of the merit system—job protection from partisan interference—has affected employees. After reviewing pertinent literature and background material, the chapter describes the study methodology. This is followed by the presentation of findings and a discussion of their implications for the future of reform. Between October 2004 and March 2005, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with staff converted from Career Service to Selected Exempt Service in the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Children and Families. The Department of Children and Families is a politically salient agency subject to leadership turnover, investigations, and controversy, some of which involves the authorities affected by Service First. Civil service reform in Florida, as elsewhere, was prompted by the idea that corporate employment practices are inherently superior and therefore civil service protections against corruption should be abolished.
